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THURSDAY, 6 JULY 2023
BUSINESS & PROPERTY
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How to parent while running a business Umina Beach business mentor and digital marketing coach Kate Toon’s latest book is aimed at those people trying to balance running a business with parenting. Six Figures in School Hours: How to run a successful business and still be a good parent is a practical, realistic handbook for freelancers, solopreneurs and business owners who also parent small humans. Most parents have asked themselves this question: “Can I have a successful business and still be a good parent?” The truth is, while Australia has about 2.4 million small and medium-sized businesses and no shortage of businessowning parents, there’s precious little help out there. According to the National Working Families Report 2019, 62 per cent of respondents said they were struggling to manage
their physical and mental health as they juggled working and caring for their families. About a third said this was contributing to stress in their relationships with their partners and children. “Most parents don’t start a business to build a global empire, they just want to earn a decent income and have time to read their kids a bedtime story without having a meltdown in the process,” Toon said. “We’re sold the pipedream of making millions while working in a hammock for a few hours a week. “But the reality is that this isn’t possible for most parents.” Toon has helped thousands of business parents through her courses, resources and communities. She is the host of The Six Figures in School Hours podcast, The Clever Copy Chats podcast and The Recipe for SEO Success podcast, and has
Kate Toon with her new book
previously been named Business Woman of the Year and Influential Woman of the Year in recognition of her business credentials. Her previous book, Confessions of a Misfit
Entrepreneur, helped many other founders understand how to build a successful business on their own terms. Published by Major Street Publishing, Six Figures in School Hours covers everything
from how to get clear on the ‘why’ behind your business and uncovering your preferred parenting style, to managing your money, insourcing help from your family, and carving out self-care amidst the chaos. “This is the book I wish I’d had when I was building my business and raising my family,” Toon said. From her humble backyard shed here on the Central Coast, Toon masterminds an ambitious business universe, helping thousands of people to build their own version of success through digital marketing and business know-how. A renowned speaker, mentor, educator and podcaster, she has been named Australia’s Most Influential Small Business Woman (2022), one of Australia’s Top 50 Small Business Leaders (2022), and Businesswoman of the Year and Training & Education Provider of the Year at the national My Business
Awards (2020). She is the founder of CopyCon and The Digital Marketing Collective Conference. Six Figures in School Hours is a smart, honest business selfhelp book providing readers with the skills, the tools and the confidence to never again need to choose between a successful business and a happy family life. It includes advice on: how to ditch the guilt around parenting and business; how to master productivity so that you’re working smarter, not harder; how to master your money and set realistic financial goals; how to communicate with your family and involve them in your business; and how to build the business of your dreams without sacrificing health and happiness. You can order the book at sixfiguresinschoolhours.com Source: Major Street Publishing
Relief in sight for renters Renters on the Central Coast could be in for some relief, with the State Government’s crucial rental reforms passing the NSW Parliament last week. The passage of the Rental Fairness Bill means the Government has: closed existing loopholes and extended the ban on soliciting rental bids so it applies to thirdparty platforms and owners, not just real estate agents; empowered the NSW Rental Commissioner to gather pricing data from agents, allowing them to advocate for renters and provide quality advice to government; and introducing the powers needed to get on with designing and implementing a portable bond scheme that will deliver significant financial relief
to renters. When designed and in place, a portable bonds scheme will deliver critical financial relief to renters by making sure they don’t have to pay twice. Closing loopholes and providing the NSW Rental Commissioner with the powers needed to find solutions across government will pave the way for further action. Aside from rental reforms, the Government is also taking steps to increase housing supply across the state and ease pressure on the rental market, including creating a pathway for faster planning decisions and incentives for developers to include affordable housing in their plans. It has also begun an audit into surplus public land that could be rezoned for housing and will
Crucial rent reforms have passed NSW Parliament
establish a Building Commission to make sure NSW is building good quality, affordable homes. Minister for Central Coast and Member for Wyong David
Harris said housing affordability was a difficult challenge for Central Coast renters, who would benefit greatly from the initiatives. Member for Gosford Liesl
Tesch said the legislation is very important. “Protecting renters by leveling the playing field is key for our community,” she said. “The Government has a comprehensive strategy to deliver a sustainable and equitable housing and rental market. “This includes a series of rental reforms and increasing housing supply across NSW. “The changes in this Bill are just the first tranche of creating a fairer and more just rental system, and the first steps in a series of rental reforms that we promised to deliver.” Minister for Fair Trading and Better Regulation Anoulack Chanthivong said the focus was on getting the balance right with responsible reforms that deliver better rights for
renters and changes to get new homes built to drive down rents. “In the existing system, a renter paying $550 per week faces a bond cost of $2,200 if they want to move,” Chanthivong said. “A portable bonds scheme will end the system that sees the average renter forced to spend the equivalent of 11 weeks’ groceries to move from home A to home B. “(These) reforms are the first step, not the last. “We’re already working on the next tranche of changes to deliver relief, including making it easier to have pets in rentals and ending no-grounds evictions.” Source: NSW Government
Stamp duty axed for first home buyers Thousands of first home buyers will no longer pay stamp duty with the introduction of a fairer, simpler First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme (FHBS). From July 1, the threshold for stamp duty exemptions will increase from $650,000 to $800,000 and the threshold for stamp duty concessions will rise from $800,000 to $1M. It means first home buyers purchasing a property up to $800,000 will pay no stamp duty, saving up to $30,735 under the changes. Based on the current housing
No stamp duty on first homes up to $800,000
market, NSW Treasury expects about 8,600 first home buyers in the $650,000 to $800,000 range to pay no stamp duty over the next year, and about
4,400 first home buyers in the $800,000 to $1M range to pay a concessional rate of stamp duty.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the former government’s unfair “forever” land tax scheme gave people paying between $1M and
$1.5M much larger stamp duty reductions than those able to afford homes up to $1M. The former scheme closed on June 30, 2023. Buyers who opted in will continue to pay property tax until they sell that property. “July 1 was a great day for thousands of extra first home buyers who will now pay zero stamp duty on their first home purchase,” Mookhey said. “These changes will help five out of every six first home buyers pay no stamp duty, or a concessional rate, and deliver a key election commitment.
“The changes implemented ensure first home buyer assistance in NSW is simpler and fairer, helping those who most need support. “We know stamp duty can be a considerable barrier for first home buyers. “The changes will allow thousands of first home buyers to enter the market sooner and give them a boost when competing with other buyers.” Source: NSW Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey